Important Questions to Ask Letting Agents when Looking to Rent a Property

Although renting a property is exciting, particularly if it is your first time moving away from your parent’s house, it should not be a process you rush. Here are some important questions to ask letting agents when looking to rent a property.

How long is the tenancy agreement?

Some letting agents will offer short term rental contracts, whereas others may offer longer ones. It is common for letting agents to initially offer a six month contract, after which if both parties are happy, it becomes a rolling contract until either party decides to end the tenancy agreement.  The notice periods should be outlined in the tenancy agreement that you will have to sign prior to moving into a rented property.

Unfurnished properties will usually be cheaper to rent, however you will have to invest in your own furniture.

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Is it furnished, part furnished or unfurnished?

It is likely that you will have a preference when it comes to furnished or unfurnished properties, so this something you will need to check with the letting agent when viewing a rented property. Part furnished properties usually contain white goods only. 

Which deposit protection scheme do you use?

By law, landlords and letting agents in the UK are required to place tenants’ deposits into a government-approved deposit protection scheme. They are also required by law to provide information about the deposit protection scheme they use. The reason deposit protection schemes are used is to provide a resolution service if there is a dispute over the deposit at the end of a tenancy. 

Can I see electrical, boiler and gas installation reports?

It is important to make sure a property is safe prior to agreeing to rent it. Make sure that the landlord or letting agent can provide you with the relevant reports and certifications. They should also be able to provide you with information about energy performance, so you can get a better idea of how efficient the property is. 

Who is responsible for maintaining the garden?

Usually the landlord will be responsible for maintaining the building and garden. However it is worth clearing this up with the letting agent when viewing the property and ensuring it is covered in your tenancy agreement.

Although the landlord may be responsible for the upkeep of the garden, you may be required to agree to general weeding and tidying tasks.

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Who lives next door or upstairs?

If you will be living in a semi-detached house, a terraced house or a house that has been converted into a number of flats, you will be living in close proximity of your neighbours. It is important to find out who they are, so you can get a better idea of their lifestyle. For example, if you are a couple with a baby, it is unlikely you will want to live next door to a house full of students and visa versa. 

How long were the previous tenants living there?

Finding out this information should give you a better idea of whether or not the previous tenants were happy living in the property. If they were only there for a short period of time and the letting agent gives no reason, it may suggest that there was something wrong with the property. 

Is a parking space included?

If there is not a drive way or a garage with the rented property, it is worth enquiring about parking space. Sometimes rented flats and houses will come with their own parking spaces. Find out if you will need a parking permit. 

What is the council tax band?

When you rent a property it is likely that you will be responsible for paying council tax, as well as the cost of rent and utility bills. Find out what council tax band the property falls under. Some bands are more expensive than others. You can find out more about council tax costs by visiting your local council’s website. 

Conclusion

When it comes to renting a property it can be easy to get carried away with the excitement of it all. We advise to search the internet for local accommodation, e.g. type “student accommodation London” and then look through our practical suggestions above.

Asking these questions to the landlord when viewing a property will ensure you make a wise and well informed decision about whether to rent it or not.

Why Waterproofing Your Basement is Necessary

If you own a house with a basement, it’s advisable to make sure the lower room is fully waterproof before converting it into a useable space. There are many waterproofing solutions should you spot a damp patch or a leak. Any type of dampness can totally spoil carpets, furnishings and of course decoration. Have a surveyor come round to check walls and flooring out before you decide to convert this very useful space.

 

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Even small crawl in basements, which are ideal for storing items you don’t use daily, can suffer from dampness. This in turn may ruin flooring, create dangerous mould and of course damage your belongings. Don’t let this happen to you, do something about the problem immediately.

Dampness,water infiltration and mould more often than not are caused by:-

·         Rain

·         Melting snow

·         Storms

·         Underground springs

·         Overflowing rivers

DIY

Householders can usually fix problems in their basements themselves if they are good at do-it-yourself. However if the cause of dampness, condensation or seepage is too great, make contact with professional waterproof solutions companies. You can find specialists near you by clicking on the internet.

Many homes have been built in or near flood areas. This presents major problems each time it rains or heavy storms occur. Fortunately you can take preventative measures well in preparation for the next downfall such as:-

1.   Having plenty of sandbags at the ready

2.   Creating a pond outside that will take most of the rainfall

3.   Removing tree roots that may be infiltrating the foundations causing cracks to appear in the walls of your property

4.   Buying portable inflatable tubes to create a dam like effect

What else can you do?

As well as finding out more about waterproofing solutions for your basement, don’t forget to take out flood insurance. This will help you enormously should flood water manage to seep into your basement and damage items of value. It’s certainly worth spending a little on insurance that will cover your property and personal belongings. Other things you can do to be prepared for a storm or heavy rainfall is:-

a)   Stop all leaks and seepage as soon as you spot them

b)   Repair cracks and holes in brickwork or cement

c)   Patch or repair walls and floors in the basement

d)   Pack a leaky floor joint

e)   Make contact with a waterproofing consultant

When properties with basements are built, foundations are usually not as perfect as they should be. Moisture can seep through even the slightest of cracks and cause great damage over a length of time.

There are many water proofing solutions available which will give you peace of mind that your basement is totally waterproof and impermeable. A yearly visit by a reputable waterproofing company is a good idea so specialists can check drains, sewers and drainpipes too for any blockages. Falling leaves often block drains causing water to build up and then enter your basement.

In conclusion

It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. If you’ve recently moved to a home that has a basement or your present home has this useful space, make sure it’s fully waterproofed. This will protect the foundations of the property along with keeping contents safe and dry.

A basement is a very useful room for storage or it can be made into an extra bedroom. What isn’t useful or pleasant is the smell of dampness. With so many water proofing solutions around, it’s highly recommended to keep your basement as a dry, livable space. It will also add value to your home. 

Yellow Jeep

  Captured during our last trip to the Bromo National Park (East Java, Indonesia). Only rented jeeps that allow taking visitors to the sand caldera. I share the yellow jeeps for

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